Belgian researchers followed 3,681 people for about eight years and found cardiovascular deaths clustered in the group excreting the least sodium: 4.1 percent, against 0.8 percent among the highest excreters. Sodium excretion did not predict total deaths or non-fatal cardiovascular events.
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Food
Sugar-sweetened drinks may boost blood pressure
Among 2,696 adults across eight U.S. and two U.K. areas, each daily serving of a sugar-sweetened drink was associated with systolic pressure 1.6 mm Hg higher and diastolic 0.8 mm Hg higher, with a stronger link at high sodium intake. Diet sodas showed no association.
Vitamins
This Vital Vitamin Reduces Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Pre-eclampsia in Pregnancy by 30 Percent
British researchers writing in the British Journal of Nutrition made a "strong case" for advising pregnant women to take vitamin D, noting the UK was the only one of 31 countries not recommending it for women of reproductive age. Mercola urges testing 25-hydroxy D in pregnancy.
Food
The Hidden and Pervasive Cause of High Blood Pressure
A study of 4,528 US adults with no prior history of hypertension linked diets high in fructose to increased risk of high blood pressure. The results suggest that cutting back on fructose-sweetened foods and drinks might lower that risk.
Food
Popular Brew May Lower Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and Triglycerides
Research cited here finds tea rehydrates as well as water rather than dehydrating, and links one to eight cups a day to lower chronic disease risk, credited to flavonoids. Mercola still wants most daily fluid to be pure water, with no added sugar or pasteurized milk.
Food
High intake of fructose may raise blood pressure
Analysing sugar intake among more than 4,500 adults, Colorado researchers found people eating 74 grams or more of fructose a day had 26% to 77% higher odds of elevated blood pressure, depending on the cutoff. The study could not separate the effects of fructose and glucose.
Vitamins
High Doses of vitamin D result in lower blood pressure
In a small trial, type 2 diabetes patients given a single 100,000 or 200,000 IU dose of vitamin D3 showed moderately lower systolic blood pressure at eight weeks than those on placebo. Endothelial function, insulin resistance and HbA1c did not differ between groups.
Food
Study explains why beetroot juice lowers blood pressure
Queen Mary researchers gave healthy volunteers 250 ml of beetroot juice or nitrate capsules and found both lowered blood pressure within 24 hours, with larger drops in those starting higher. Whether people with hypertension would see the same effect is still unknown.
Drug
Rogue genes may help high blood pressure treatment
Two British studies in Nature Genetics identified 13 genes linked to blood pressure, some affecting salt levels and others the relaxation of blood vessels. Researchers say the variants, carried by almost half the population, could raise heart attack risk by over 20 percent.
Diet
Hibiscus tea shown to lower blood pressure
In a Tufts study of 65 adults with raised blood pressure who took no medication, three daily cups of hibiscus tea for six weeks lowered blood pressure an average 7.2%, against 1.3% on placebo. Participants starting above 129 mm Hg systolic gained significantly more.
Food
Matzo ball soup may help lower high blood pressure
A study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry identified four peptides from chicken leg collagen that can act as ACE inhibitors, which may lower blood pressure. The researchers note chicken breast muscle does not yield the same materials.
Supplements
Pea protein helps kidney health, lowers blood pressure
Rats with polycystic kidney disease given a small daily dose of yellow pea protein hydrolysate had blood pressure 20 percent lower after eight weeks and urinated up to 30 percent more, back to normal levels. A trial in mildly hypertensive people is under way.
Nutrition
High potassium may help lower blood pressure
Reviewing published studies, Drs. Mark Houston and Karen Harper report that high dietary potassium may lower blood pressure and cut hypertension by more than 10 percent. Americans eat twice the recommended sodium and half the recommended potassium.
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